I am in the market for my own catamaran. I have been sailing Hobie 16's for 6 or 7 years now with my brother and am ready to move on to my own 'bigger' boat. 400# of crew just doesnt make it on that little boat. My heart says Hobie Miracle 20, but my head says there seems to be more Nacras in the same size range. What's the knock against Hobie, or would that be a fine selection? As far as racing goes, is it a cutthroat class or a resonable one to get on board with?<br><br>

I had a H20 for several years. I raced it very hard and never had a significant problem. It is a good boat and a great class. But, at 400# you are to heavy to be competiive in most conditions. The N60 is probably one of the most weight forgiving boats out there. Besides that it is great boat.
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<br>Regards,
<br>David Ingram
<br>I-20<br><br>

Dave - I'm surprised at you for not mentioning your own boat! One of the primary reasons my partner and I switched from the P19 to the Inter 20 is that, at 400 lbs, we just couldn't be competetive in the Prindle 19 class. In fact, at 210 lbs myself, I only needed a 85 lb kid to meat min. weight, which makes a huge difference going downwind in a boat w/o a spinnaker like the P19 or the very-similar H20.<br><br>In San Diego, the top sailors are on the black/white "orca" I20, sailing at 400+ lbs and creaming everyone else. I suspect that even 450 lbs would not be a disadvantage in the I20 class. When you add in the extra excitement of the spinnaker and the excellent design and handling of the boat, I think it is a very strong contender for anyone looking to move up.<br><br>Sail fast and have fun,<br>Alan Thompson<br>I20 - San Diego<br><br>

Alan, I agree and I love my I-20. But, I believe the N60 handles weight better than the I-20. As for the guys in San Diego crushing the competion. I really don't think these guys are fast because they are heavy. They are fast because they are exceptional sailors, and I also believe that if they were 360# combined crew weight they would be faster.
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<br>Dave<br><br>

They were 390# at the Alter Cup. They are a good team. Nice guys too. <br><br>

Alan, Are you sure that Performance is not paying you for your imfo-mercials about the I-20? Just kidding! If you ever race anywhere up north in California or Oregon let me know so I can hitch a ride on your I-20.
<br> John<br><br>

I will admit that I am very enthusiastic about my new boat (I still think of it as new after 1 year, especially since I was drooling over them for 2 years prior to getting my own). I don't normally get to sail up north (we might go to Santa Barbara in August, but L.A. - Catalina is normally my limit).<br><br>I will reverse your offer: If you ever get to San Diego, you are welcome to come and take a test-drive! We have about 15 I20's here (+ an I17R and an I18), nearly all stored at Mission Bay. Most of them are owned by sailors who couldn't go back to non-spinnaker boats after taking a test sail on an Inter. I'll bet that you'll be convinced too if you try one.<br><br>Sail fast and have fun,<br>Alan Thompson<br>I20 - San Diego<br><br><br>

You all have given me much to think about... Now, pardon the rookie question... is there no spinnaker class for the H20? I couldn't stand not putting up a kite.
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<br>(Note: I work the front end on a Soverel 33 - I love spinnakers!!! Nothing like a nice broad reach with the waves, surfing along at 17 kts. Getting tired of PHRF and revolving door crew issues, that is why I want to move to cats)<br><br>

You are correct - the H20 is just main and jib, as are almost all other cats. In the U.S., the Inter line (17/18/20) were the first popular cats designed to carry spinnakers. The Hobie Fox and Tiger came along from Europe about 3 years later and also have spinnakers. They have copied the E/O Snuffer system from the Inter line. I haven't sailed a Fox (have only seen one of them), but it does have the plastic-tipped aluminum mast which for me is a big minus compared to the all carbon mast of the Inter's. Also, the deck layout and user-friendliness of the Inter's is superior to the Fox in my opinion.<br><br>Sail fast and have fun,<br>Alan Thompson<br>I20 - San Diego<br><br>P.S. I know there have been other cats rigged with spinnakers and/or reachers/hooters, but these were mostly after-marked add-on's and were never very widespread. Only in the last few years have spinnakers become a common occurance on cats, a development which I think is highly for the better! This is especially so when the cat has been designed from the beginning to carry the spinnaker, as this makes a BIG difference in useability, ease-of-handling, and performance.<br><br>

E/O Snuffer was not a performance Co/or Intern line idea so the E/O Snuffer was available before the inter line. The Hobie Tiger does not have a plastic-tipped mast but I do believe the Hobie Fox does. Also the Fox can handle heavy crews so you may want to check out the Fox or even the Tiger. You have some great options available to you in regards to cat spinnaker racing/sailing. Also from what I hear the Tornado Sport or the M20 would be even better choices when it comes to Spinnaker cats if you can handle the extra cost. It appears the M20 is the ultimate spinnaker cat.<br><br>

Let's not leave out the Super Cat 22. What a ride!
<br>Dave<br><br>

If you want to run a spinnaker on a cat the H20 is probably not a good choice for you. The Inters, Fox, and Tiger were designed from the start for the spinnaker and work much better than the H20 with SPI. I race an H20 and love it but only add the SPI for distance racing. It's just too much hassle around the buoy's. Plus the comptip is questionable to run the SPI halyard from on the H20. I sailed the I20 at Alter cup and really enjoyed the boat when the wind picked up above about 9mph. Below 9mph I had a hard time figuring it out. The I20 is a fast boat in any condition though. I'm sure the Fox is a good boat but I've never sailed one.
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<br>Mike Hill
<br>H20 #791
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Yo Miles
<br>It's Inter not Intern. I know you think you funny but your not. Get it right.
<br>Larry<br><br>

Sorry you have no sense of humor, touchy, touchy!<br><br>

Miles, you are far more touchy about your old and tired H-16 design. We have extended the courtesy and respect of not callig your favorite boat by unkind but deserving names. I am sure your lack of humor about names called of that sacred H-16 cow you worship are well documented. I am sure mutual respect will be regarded and given. I hope you see the humor in what I have written. We woudn't want to treat our fellow cat sailors with distain. After all we all want this sport to expand and we all share that hope.
<br> Best wishes,
<br> John<br><br>